BLAST THREAT ENDS; MAN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

A 46-year-old man threatening to blow himself up was taken into custody early Wednesday when police entered his house and found him hiding in the basement, police said.

Rodney R. Houston was transferred from his home at 287 Vineyard Ave. to Hartford Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation, police said. Police do not plan to bring criminal charges against him.

Police surrounded Houston's house Tuesday night after learning that he might blow up his home by lighting natural gas. Nearby residents were evacuated by police.

Police smelled a natural gas odor and immediately had electricity and the natural gas line into the neighborhood turned off. Several first- floor windows at Houston's home were broken to allow the natural gas inside to dissipate.

Police tried to talk Houston, 46, out of his home but they never actually spoke with him.

A move was made on the house about 2:30 a.m. After a police dog was sent into the house and discovered Houston's hiding place, members of the emergency response team entered and apprehended him, police said. Houston did not put up a struggle, according to police.

None of the neighbors stayed at a shelter set up in the town's community center, police said.